Author Of Worlds: I Reincarnated Into My Novel As A Random Character
Chapter 7: We Have To Make A Sacrifice To Stop The Fused Shadow...

Chapter 7: We Have To Make A Sacrifice To Stop The Fused Shadow...

A monstrous creature, standing twice the height of an average youth, loomed over the remaining forty-three participants.

Its grotesque body was a warped blend of shadow and flesh, pulsing with sickly light.

Bone spikes jutted out from its limbs at unnatural angles, and a twisted maw stretched across its chest, dripping with black ichor. Its expression was one of unbearable pain.

It scanned the group with bloodshot eyes, then let out a roar that tore through the still air.

Without warning, it turned toward the nearest figure.

The fused shadow and its human host lunged at the woman in front of it with horrifying speed.

Matthew narrowed his eyes and retreated quickly.

He knew there was only one method to destroy the corrupted fusion.

Just as he was about to dive into the fourth wall and deliver a narration to guide the others, glowing runes appeared in everyone’s line of sight.

[Corrupted Fallen detected. Please sacrifice a life to restore his soul to the light.]

The message stunned them all. Their eyes widened in horror, and their breaths caught in their throats. What kind of twisted trial was this?

The same thought crossed everyone’s minds. Still, none of them dared express feelings of fear, as their survival instincts silenced their emotions.

They looked around warily, unconsciously stepping away from one another.

Those nearest to the woman holding a weapon immediately backed off. Just then, a sharp, chilling scream pierced the atmosphere.

Everyone’s head snapped toward the sound.

The creature had cleaved a young man cleanly in half, his remains scattered like shredded cloth.

For a moment, silence filled the air.

That single act shifted the atmosphere.

No one wanted to die, but no one wanted to be the first to move either.

Matthew watched the scene with a calm, unreadable face, then frowned.

Would i have to kill someone? He thought with a frown.

He hadn’t made any loopholes concerning when one touched the shadow.

In the other trial that occurred, the only way the man who passed the trial could pass this stage was by killing one of the trialists in cold blood.

However matthew had never taken a life before; he was extremely hesitant to do such.

Glancing around, he noted down those that were similarly hesitant to kill someone; however, the wait didn’t last for long.

Arrggggggggg

Just then, another pained scream pierced through the air, causing everyone to glance at the location.

The next moment, their eyes were filled with shock and they displayed terrified expressions, because, unlike what they thought, the creature hadn’t killed anyone new.

A young man, clad in a black suit with blood-splattered gloves, calmly wiped his hand across his thigh.

His hair was pure white, soft yet unkempt, falling to one side and catching the light.

A pair of narrow rectangular glasses rested on his nose, which he adjusted slowly with two fingers.

He gazed at the group, particularly at Matthew, with no sign of guilt or hesitation in his eyes.

"This should be enough, right?" he asked casually, as if discussing something trivial.

Matthew looked at him with mixed thoughts. There was no use questioning the death now.

"It should be," he answered evenly, turning his attention to the creature.

The fused being shuddered violently, then separated from its human host.

The young man who had been controlled by it remained standing for a brief moment before a gust of wind swept over him.

His body disintegrated into ash, scattering in the air.

After that the grotesque remained standing, towering over the crowd as though waiting for the next person to touch it so a massacre could begin.

...

[Trialist Eliminated: Narai Tessin]

[Corruption +2% to remaining 43 participants]

[Current Corruption: 14%]

...

[Trialist Eliminated: Dorry Gresfiend]

[Corruption +2% to remaining 42 participants]

[Current Corruption: 14%]

The silent message was like a bottle of ice-cold water that poured into their hearts.

In the blink of an eye, two people had died.

Everyone was slightly horrified; however, they knew that feeling fear would only lead to death in a different form.

They were trapped within the shadows and confines of fear, forced not to feel fear or negative emotions, but positive emotions.

How ironic, feeling positive emotions of hope, joy, and peace in a despairing environment filled with the complete... Opposite.

"Why are you all staring at me like that?" the white-haired man asked as he adjusted his glasses again. His tone was light, but his words carried an edge. "I saved you all."

At his words their gazes didn’t soften. If anything, they became more hostile, however he met them with a faint smile.

"What? Want me to kill one of you too?"

The moment he said that, everyone quickly turned their eyes elsewhere and no one dared maintain eye contact.

He scoffed, then walked toward Matthew.

"The name’s Jin." He extended a bloodied hand, still wearing that unsettling smile.

Jin Matthew sighed inwardly. He had no memory of writing a character like this.

Still, he accepted the handshake.

Because Jin wasn’t part of his narrative, he had no way to predict him. But any man who could kill that easily without blinking had to be dangerous.

"What are you thinking about?" Jin asked, narrowing his eyes as he let go of the handshake. He adjusted his glasses once more, clearly trying to read Matthew’s expression.

"Nothing important. The trial will get more deadly with each stage," Matthew replied, brushing aside his thoughts.

"Oh?" Jin raised an eyebrow. "You seem to know quite a bit. Why don’t you share some of it with me? I could keep you safe."

He laughed softly and opened his palm to reveal a short dagger.

"I don’t mind," Matthew said calmly, then gestured for Jin to follow him. At least for now, the confrontation had ended.

But it wasn’t over for the rest of the group.

"You there! Tell us how to pass the trial if you want to leave alive."

Five men stepped into their path. Each one looked muscular and thuggish, their eyes filled with aggression.

Matthew guessed they had once been street fighters or gangsters and, by luck, had acquired an awakening stone.

He gave them a flat look, though inside he sneered. Tell you all how to pass the trial?

That is only for me, the author, to know!

After all, only one person can ever pass a decay trial, no matter how many trialists there are.

"You said you would keep me safe," he said as he slowly stepped back.

"I always keep my word," Jin replied, stepping forward once again. He pushed up his glasses with a calm expression and stared down the five thugs without a trace of fear.